Speaker Anġlu Farrugia yesterday ordered the media to name MPs who ask parliamentary questions (PQs) when reporting the answer given by the minister.

In a ruling on a breach of privilege complaint raised by Ċensu Galea (PN) against l-orizzont, Dr Farrugia said it was not ethically correct for the media not to mention the name of the MP who raised parliamentary questions.

Furthermore, the Standing Orders put the onus on the media to ensure correct and factual reporting.

Dr Farrugia said the ruling was being issued to ensure clear guidelines as to how PQs are to be reported.

Omitting the name would skew the report

The l-orizzont report was about the removal of vehicles and boats that were blocking St Paul’s Bay streets.

Mr Galea had complained that the information had been reproduced in the article but the MP raising the question was not named.

When questioned by the House, the Union Press newspaper’s editor had asked which of the Standing Orders made it mandatory for the media to mention the name.

Mr Speaker said that a look at the Standing Orders showed such an omission would constitute a skewing of the media report. He said it was also held incorrect in the Code of Ethics of the Institute of Maltese Journalists.

Consequently, the ruling required the media to give not only the information contained in the PQ but also the name of the MP who raised the question.